The International Symposium on Superconductivity, which has been held annu- ally since 1988, is a forum for presenting the most up-to-date information about a broad range of research and development in superconductivity, from funda- mental aspects to applications. More than 10 years have passed since the discovery of oxide superconductors and since various developments of applications began. It may be said that the prospects for application of oxide superconductors recently have opened up. Great progress has been made toward practical use, for example, of the flywheel, which uses bulk...